Our fully Guided Vacation Experiences

Led throughout by an experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide, all your needs are taken care of. Ranging between 4 to 20 days in length, all breakfasts are included, plus up to half of your dinners. Guided Vacations are a great way to make new friends!

You deserve a Short Break

Ranging from 2 to 7 days length, Short Breaks combine the must-see highlights of a destination with your choice from three accommodation standards, plus selected meals. Travel with different Driver Guides and a new group of like-minded travellers each day.

Journey to amazing places

Rich and immersive experiences in an intimate group setting of less than 20 like-minded travellers and no kids under 12years. Luxury transport, boutique retreats, lodges and resorts with great cuisine to match – be inspired!

Great value holidays

Affordable, easy going small group adventures of approximately 20 guests. With a focus on value for money, our Driver Guides will share with you authentic Australian experiences and must-see experiences of each destination we visit.

The Great Barrier Reef and Rainforest

There is so much to see in magnificant Tropical North Queensland. Choose from a selection of tours to the Kuranda Scenic Railway, Tjapukai Cultural Park, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Mossman Gorge, Daintree River and Cape Tribulation.

Prices From

$5795

$7635

$5215

Contrast the secrets of Melbourne’s hidden laneways with a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. Then there’s Bondi Beach where you’ll lunch with the locals and a Hangi feast that you’ll share with your Maori hosts in Rotorua. You’ll spot crocodiles and kiwis. It’s just a taste of what’s to come.

Itinerary

1 April 2016 - 31 March 2017 ?

Welcome to Melbourne

Day 1: Welcome to Melbourne

Welcome to Melbourne! On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. This evening join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a welcome reception and dinner on board the famous Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. It’s a great opportunity to get to know everyone in a unique setting.

Day 2: Melbourne

Join your Travel Director for your city tour including a private walk through Melbourne’s famous hidden laneways. You’ll discover the city’s eclectic little lanes, arcades, café society and fascinating street art. Then there’s time to explore the city on your own.

Hotel:
Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne,
2 nights.

Included Meals:
Day 1: Dinner with wine. Day 2: Breakfast.

Day
3-5

Melbourne - Cairns - Great Barrier Reef

Day 3: Melbourne – Cairns

Say farewell to Melbourne as you fly to Cairns. On arrival join your local guide for a private wildlife journey at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. Enjoy a boat cruise and encounter koalas, wallabies, birds and of course, crocodiles! This evening feast on a delicious meal of fresh seasonal produce at Salt House with views of the Cairns waterfront.

Day 4: Cairns ‘Free Time’

Spend your free day relaxing or exploring. Perhaps take an optional experience to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park to discover the secrets of this ancient culture through theatre, didgeridoo and firemaking demonstrations and the famous Tjapukai dance. Or visit Hartley's Crocodile Adventures for an opportunity to encounter native Australian animals. You could travel to Kuranda, the 'village in the rainforest', on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway and return to the lowlands above the breathtaking canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park through some of the oldest rainforest in the world on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Day 5: Great Barrier Reef

Board a high speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. You can snorkel and view this natural living wonder up close (equipment provided) or stay dry and explore the stunning reef from the comfort of a semi-submersible craft. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch before you return to Cairns.

Hotel:
Hilton Hotel Cairns,
3 nights.

Included Meals:
Day 3: Breakfast and Dinner with wine. Day 4: Breakfast. Day 5: Breakfast and Lunch.

Day
6-8

Cairns - Sydney

Day 6: Cairns – Sydney

Depart Cairns and fly to Sydney. On arrival there’s time to relax before boarding a Captain Cook sunset highlight dinner cruise. Enjoy a two course à la carte dinner and the mesmerising views of Sydney at night. You’ll pass magnificent waterfront homes and all the main harbour attractions including the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.

Day 7: Sydney

Kick off this highlight day of sightseeing on a guided tour of Sydney Opera House with a local guide. Later board your coach to see the Royal Botanic Gardens and visit Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair. You’re invited’ to Bondi Beach for an iconic Australian experience. You’ll be greeted by a local surf lifesaver before lunch at an Aussie institution, the Returned Servicemen’s Club, with its views over the Pacific Ocean. Your host will take you on an exclusive tour through Australia’s oldest surf lifesaving club to learn about the history of Bondi and surf lifesaving. This afternoon if you want to see Sydney from above, take the climb of your life on Sydney Harbour Bridge ‘BridgeClimb’ (own expense).

Day 8: Sydney ‘Free Time’

The day is yours to explore this wonderful city. Why not take an optional experience to the spectacular Blue Mountains. This evening join your fellow travellers for a stroll to Darling Harbour to enjoy a delicious meal overlooking the city’s waterfront. Dine on fresh seasonal produce when you indulge in a selection of signature dishes that are bound to create a memorable dining experience.

Hotel:
Hyatt Regency Darling Harbour,
Darling Harbour, 3 nights.

Included Meals:
Day 6: Breakfast and Highlight dinner. Day 7: Breakfast and You're invited lunch. Day 8: Breakfast and Dinner with wine.

Day
9-10

Sydney – Auckland

Day 9: Auckland

It’s farewell to Australia as you fly to Auckland, New Zealand. This evening meet your Travel Director for a highlight dinner at ‘Eight’ at The Langham. Your personal degustation is prepared for you from the freshest, quality ingredients, including mouth-watering seafood and delicious desserts.

Day 10: Auckland - Rotorua

A morning cruise on Waitemata Harbour is followed by a city sights tour. Later, you’ll have time to explore the city.

Hotel:
The Langham Hotel Auckland,
2 nights.

Included Meals:
Day 10: Breakfast and Highlight dinner. Day 11: Breakfast.

Day
11

Auckland – Rotorua

Join a guide for a boat tour through the Waitomo Glowworm Grotto. Continue to Rotorua where a Maori guide will accompany you at Te Puia Thermal Reserve. ‘You’re invited’ this evening to experience the heart-pounding wero (challenge) from a Maori warrior during a Powhiri, a ceremonial welcome, at the Tamaki Family Marae. Journey into the village and gain a cultural insight into life in New Zealand before European settlement. Feast on succulent meats and vegetables cooked in a hangi, the traditional Maori method of cooking in the earth.

Hotel:
Millennium Hotel, Rotorua

Included Meals:
Breakfast and You're invited dinner.

Day
12

Rotorua – Christchurch

Explore Rainbow Springs Nature Park with a local guide and discover the native flora and fauna. You may even spot a kiwi! Next stop is the Agrodome Sheep Show for a taste of farm life. Now you’ll fly to Christchurch. See how the city is slowly being rebuilt as a consequence of the earthquake of February 2011.

Hotel:
Novotel Christchurch

Included Meals:
Breakfast

Day
13

Christchurch – Franz Josef

Board the TranzAlpine train for your journey over the Southern Alps to Arthur’s Pass. At Hokitika visit a New Zealand greenstone (jade) factory, to see a master carver at work. Travel along the coastal road to Franz Josef Glacier for a short walk to view the glacier and perhaps take an optional scenic flight (weather permitting).

Hotel:
Te Waonui Forest Retreat,
Franz Josef.

Included Meals:
Breakfast and Dinner with wine

Day
14-16

Franz Josef – Queenstown - Milford Sound Cruise

Day 14: Franz Josef – Queenstown

Enjoy a coastal drive with views of the Tasman Sea. Climb over the Haast Pass winding through Mount Aspiring National Park. Then your journey takes you past Lakes Wanaka and Hawea and heads along the Kawarau River through the Kawarau Gorge. Finally you will visit the historic village of Arrowtown, before arriving in Queenstown. This evening join your Travel Director a highlight dinner at The Boatshed. Set in the restored historic New Zealand Railways Shipping Office and relocated to its lakefront setting in 1936, The Boatshed, with its spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range, is the perfect venue for your exclusive meal with wine.

Day 15: Milford Sound Cruise

Journey over the Devil’s Staircase and along the shore of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau. Travel through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel en route to majestic Milford Sound. Enjoy lunch as you cruise with Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls high above you.

Day 16: Queenstown ‘Free Time’

Today you may like to consider taking one of our optional experiences. You could ride the Shotover Jet boat, join a wine tour, play a round of golf, take a 4WD minibus excursion through Skippers Canyon, relax with a spa treatment at Millbrook Resort or just explore Queenstown on your own. This evening perhaps ride a gondola to the Skyline Restaurant for dinner.

Hotel:
Millennium Hotel, Queenstown,
3 nights.

Included Meals:
Day 14: Breakfast and Highlight dinner. Day 15: Breakfast and Lunch. Day 16: Breakfast.

Day
17

Queenstown – Christchurch

Stop to see the morning sun glisten on Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo, and visit the Church of the Good Shepherd. ‘You’re invited’ to join us for a visit to Morelea Farm. You’re welcomed into the home of your hosts Angie and Stan Taylor for to enjoy a barbecue lunch in their 240 hectare garden and gain an insight into the day-to-day operation of farm life. Just wait until you try the Pavlova. In Christchurch this evening celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner with your Travel Director and new-found friends.

Hotel:
Novotel Christchurch

Included Meals:
Breakfast and You're invited lunch and Farewell dinner.

Day
18

Farewell from Christchurch

Time to bid you farewell as we transfer you to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight.

18 Day Guided Vacation

Tour departs from Melbourne and returns to Christchurch

Don't Miss

Mountain Jade

Would you like to own a piece of jade? Travelling between Franz Josef and Christchurch on this holiday you’ll visit Mountain Jade, a jade (greenstone) factory workshop, where you’ll get to see how jade is carved and hear the story of its origins. A popular classic piece made from jade is the koru. It is commonly used in Maori art as a symbol of creation because of its fluid circular shape. Based on the unfurling fern frond of the native New Zealand silver fern, the circular shape of the koru conveys the idea of perpetual movement, while its inner coil, the corm with rolled up inner leaflets, suggests a return to the point of origin. In the larger scheme, this is a metaphor for the way in which life both changes and stays the same.

Highlights

Indulge in lunch overlooking spectacular Bondi Beach

Learn about Aussie surf culture at Bondi Beach

Venture inside Sydney Opera House on a guided tour

Toast the sunset on a dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour

View Darling Harbour from your Sydney hotel room

Discover native Australian animals at Hartley’s

Crocodile Adventures Snorkel and cruise on the Great Barrier Reef

Discover Melbourne’s colourful hidden laneways

Experience warm Kiwi hospitality at Morelea Farm

Discover spectacular Milford Sound on a lunch cruise

View Franz Josef Glacier

Visit a jade factory and marvel at artists at work

Journey over the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine Train

Experience farm life at the Agrodome Sheep Show

Immerse yourself in rich Maori arts and culture with the Tamaki family over dinner

Inclusions

Experienced Travel Director & Driver Guide

Quality accommodation

Travel by luxury coach

Dining

Full buffet breakfasts (17)

‘You’re invited’ lunches (2)

Lunches (2)

You’re invited’ dinner (1)

Dinners with wine (4)

Highlight dinners (3)

Farewell dinner (1)

Flight Information

Any flights referred to in the itinerary are at the client’s expense and are not included in the land content price.

Day 3

Flights from Melbourne to Cairns – QF702

Day 6

Flights from Cairns to Sydney – JQ957

Day 9

Flights from Sydney to Auckland – QF143

Day 12

Flights from Rotorua to Christchurch – NZ5379

The above internal-holiday flights to be purchased separately in order to fulfil the holiday itinerary.

Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne

1-5 Spencer St, Melbourne, VIC 3008

2 nights.

Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne is located on Spencer Street on the fringe of the CBD. Just a short stroll to Crown Casino, Docklands and South Wharf, Crowne Plaza Melbourne is a Southbank hotel ideally situated on the bank of the Yarra River.

Hyatt Regency Darling Harbour

161 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

Darling Harbour, 3 nights.

As one of Australia's largest hotel, we are a self-rated 4.5 star hotel with 648 rooms including 17 suites, we have what matters most to you like stylish rooms and a comfortable bed. Located in Sydney's Central Business District and overlooking the spectacular Darling Harbour, you'll be surrounded by all of Sydney's major entertainment and shopping districts including Pitt Street Mall and Queen Victoria Building with The Rocks, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House just a 15 minute walk away!

Features

Hair Dryer

Flat Screen TV

Wi-Fi (additional cost)

In-room safe

Mini Bar

iPhone/iPad connectivity

Newly Refurbished

The Langham Hotel Auckland

83 Symonds St Grafton, Auckland 1010 New Zealand

2 nights.

The Langham Hotel Auckland exudes a timeless elegance that celebrates the past, yet embraces the future. As a luxury Auckland hotel, we will enchant you with our tradition of graceful living.

Features

LCD TV

Work Desk

Tea & Coffee Facilities

Shower Over Bath

Deluxe Marble Bathroom

In-room Movies (fee applies)

Manual temperature control

Blackout drapes/curtains

Iron / Ironing Board

In-room safe

Room service

Business Facilities

Mini-bar (surcharge)

Satellite TV

Broadband Internet access

Phone

Millennium Hotel, Rotorua

Corner Eruera & Hinemaru St, Rotorua 3010, North Island

Centrally located in the city beside mystical Lake Rotorua, this hotel is just a brief stroll from the Rotorua Museum, Convention Centres and adjacent to a Polynesian Spa.

Features

Air Conditioning

Mini Bar

Coffee/tea making facilities

Internet Access

Sky TV

Personalised message and wakeup service

Work Desk

Radio

Hair Dryer

In-room safe

Iron / Ironing Board

Novotel Christchurch

The Novotel Christchurch is a premium, landmark hotel located in the heart of Christchurch. Featuring 154 contemporary rooms, high-end amenities and WIFI internet (surcharge). Hotel facilities include gym, guest laundry, restaurant, bar and meeting rooms, catering for up to 250 delegates. The Novotel Christchurch is only moments to main attractions, Cathedral Square, Cashel St Pop-Up Mall, Hagley Park, Christchurch Business District and 30min from Christchurch Airport.

Features

Hair Dryer

Satellite/cable colour TV

Mini Bar

Air Conditioning

Room service

In-room safe

Wireless Internet access

Te Waonui Forest Retreat

3 Wallace St, Franz Josef Glacier 7886, New Zealand

Franz Josef.

A haven from the city rush, a foray into New Zealand’s pristine wilderness – Te Waonui Forest Retreat is truly a place to relax and refresh. All focus has been on creating a healthy, environmentally safe habitat to maximise guests’ wellbeing. With a natural, earthy ambience and attentive service, there’s no better place to take a deep breath and simply unwind.

Te Waonui Forest Retreat seamlessly incorporates measures that greatly reduce its environmental impact. Designed to stand the test of time, Te Waonui’s durable, New Zealand building design blends in with its stunning natural setting. Management and staff at Te Waonui actively support community-based projects to preserve our outstanding natural heritage in Franz Josef Glacier Town.

Features

In-room safe

Wireless Internet access

Tea & Coffee Facilities

Pillow Menu (Choice of pillows)

Luxurious bed linen

Private balcony or courtyard

Electronic security key system

Air-conditioning

Iron / Ironing Board

Mini Bar

TV

Millennium Hotel, Queenstown

32 Frankton Rd, Queenstown 9300, South Island

3 nights.

Millennium Hotel Queenstown is only minutes from Queenstown shopping, entertainment and outdoor activities such as bungee jumping, white water rafting and jet boating.

Features

Air Conditioning

Colour TV

Refrigerator

Mini Bar

Phone

In-room safe

Iron / Ironing Board

Hair Dryer

Electric blankets

Broadband Internet access

Novotel Christchurch

The Novotel Christchurch is a premium, landmark hotel located in the heart of Christchurch. Featuring 154 contemporary rooms, high-end amenities and WIFI internet (surcharge). Hotel facilities include gym, guest laundry, restaurant, bar and meeting rooms, catering for up to 250 delegates. The Novotel Christchurch is only moments to main attractions, Cathedral Square, Cashel St Pop-Up Mall, Hagley Park, Christchurch Business District and 30min from Christchurch Airport.

AAT Kings is Australia’s favourite guided holiday company, with over 100 years of experience. Our wide range of Day Tours, Short Breaks and Guided Holidays are the perfect way to experience the best of Australia & New Zealand.